E-bike rack

[Dsterritt]

What methods are people using to haul E-bikes (2) that does not invalidate warranty. Have looked at versions that straddle the propane tanks however at 70 years of age I can’t see hoisting the bike up myself and a ramp would pose the same issue. I am told adding a hitch at the back on the bumper is also a no-no. Would appreciate some help here.

 

[jkwilson]

Bed of the truck is most secure and easiest.

 

[Skilletface]

Consider looking at a foldable e bike. If memory is correct these foldable versions can fit in a 40 gal. tote at 60 lbs and store inside rv while traveling if space permits. Folded up the e bike will be taller than the tote but fit nicely inside of it making the whole thing easier to handle. https://lectricebikes.com/

 

[triplethreat]

What methods are people using to haul E-bikes (2) that does not invalidate warranty. Have looked at versions that straddle the propane tanks however at 70 years of age I can’t see hoisting the bike up myself and a ramp would pose the same issue. I am told adding a hitch at the back on the bumper is also a no-no. Would appreciate some help here.

Adding a hitch to the bumper IS a no-no, it probably wouldn't last on there 100 miles.....even less if the roads were bumpy. Adding a hitch to the rear of the trailer can be done though, in many instances if you get a "frame rail to frame rail" mounted receiver and have that installed. There are adjustable width receivers out there that can be bolted to the trailer's frame and if installed correctly, make for a pretty solid receiver for the bike rack/bikes. As you know, the ebikes are quite a bit heavier than a traditional pedal bike, so the not only the receiver has to be heavy duty, the bike rack itself needs to be "RV RATED" for mounting ebikes on the rear of the RV. There are quite a few bike racks out there that are RV RATED, but be prepared to spend some $$$ for them, and don't skimp on the full frame mount receiver that the rack is mounted to. You may already know this, but it is always better to carry the ebikes with the battery removed and stored away inside either the trailer or your truck. The reduced weight by having the batteries removed just serves to lighten the weight being put on the bike rack/receiver assembly. etrailer.com is a pretty good source for stuff like that, but a google search will be your friend if you decide to go that route with the bikes on a rack on the back of the trailer. I'll say it again, DO NOT buy cheap, lite weight stuff for hauling ebikes, it will quickly turn to misery.

 

[Dsterritt]

Thanks for your replies. I have an RV approved swagman e-bike rack and it was the hitch I was struggling with. I also have the e-bikes at this point. I like the idea of adding frame rail to frame rail mounted receiver. I assume a welder would be our go to trade for the work. Do you know if this addition invalidates the warranty or how would you suggest we address this part.

 

[triplethreat]

Thanks for your replies. I have an RV approved swagman e-bike rack and it was the hitch I was struggling with. I also have the e-bikes at this point. I like the idea of adding frame rail to frame rail mounted receiver. I assume a welder would be our go to trade for the work. Do you know if this addition invalidates the warranty or how would you suggest we address this part.

Here is a link to an etrailer.com adjustable hitch setup. https://www.etrailer.com/RV-and-Camper-Hitch/CURT/13703.html

This is just one of the several that they have, and if you read through the description, it will give the capacity numbers, adjustability range, mounting options, etc. This one that I linked to can be bolted on (lots of drilling) or could be welded on, so you have a choice. If you choose to have it welded on, my suggestion would be that you make sure that the welder is certified and has credentials....not just "some guy that knows how to weld". Bolting it on...I would make sure than any/all bolts are grade 8 and probably stainless bolts.

I do not know if having this done would affect the trailer warranty or not, but if there were an issue with say the trailer frame, Grand Design would have to prove that the modification/added receiver was what caused the failure.

Also, you would need to look closely at the drawing dimensions for the hitch/receiver and take some measurements on your trailer to make sure 100% that the item would fit, not only the frame rail to frame rail distance, but also the "height" and if there was enough room to mount it to the frame rails AND for the 2" receiver portion of it to fit under the existing bumper on your trailer. Lots of planning involved with this project.

 

[classicrockguy]

We carry 2 eBikes on the back of our Reflection 315rlts. Receiver hitch is a 2” frame mount that came on the trailer rated at 300lbs. Rack is a 1UP dual super duty. Seems to work fine. A few points …

- Our receiver hitch is substantial, and is firmly bolted to the frame. I believe the capacity rating is actually sort of a torque rating, meaning dead weight x lever arm. In our case, hitch plus eBikes is about 125lbs, and “lever arm” to center of weight is about 2 feet. So, 125lbs x 2’ = 250lb-ft. If the distance from the center of the receiver mount to the center of the load were longer, it would be easy to exceed the receiver load limit of 300lb-ft.

- These loads are not just “dead weight”. The dynamic load bouncing down a rough road is substantially higher. Think “standing on the bike rack and jumping up and down.” The point is, carrying eBikes on the back of a trailer generates very high loads. If you search around, you can find many horror stories of losing expensive bikes and worse.

- No way could a typical square tube trailer bumper handle 2 eBikes. Just, no. Even a frame mount receiver has its limits, as does the frame itself.

- All eBikes are pretty heavy. Much heavier than standard bikes. We remove the batteries, seats, and saddle bags on ours to minimize the weight while hauling. We also turn the handlebars 90 degrees (loosen the neck bolt and align with the front tire) so the whole rig can be located as close to the back of the trailer as possible.

 

[huntindog]

Thanks for your replies. I have an RV approved swagman e-bike rack and it was the hitch I was struggling with. I also have the e-bikes at this point. I like the idea of adding frame rail to frame rail mounted receiver. I assume a welder would be our go to trade for the work. Do you know if this addition invalidates the warranty or how would you suggest we address this part.

Practically anything you do to it can be used to void the warranty.
Whatever you do, you assume the risk

 

[GMan1970]

We have a 280RS and we used the rear trailer connection w/e-bike rack on a 1500 mile trip with no issues. Just make sure the rack is rated for the bikes as well as the hitch. Most of the e-bike hitches have a design to tighten down the connection so there is no slop or play. Our bikes are on the heavy side (Rad Rover) so very important to take the batteries off as well. Most people do for security reasons anyway.

 

[Dutchman2]

Thanks for your replies. I have an RV approved swagman e-bike rack and it was the hitch I was struggling with. I also have the e-bikes at this point. I like the idea of adding frame rail to frame rail mounted receiver. I assume a welder would be our go to trade for the work. Do you know if this addition invalidates the warranty or how would you suggest we address this part.

We have the Swagman E-Bike rack that mounts to the factory installed receiver hitch. We also use the anti rattle hitch clamp to eliminate any movement in the receiver hitch. It does a great job in eliminating any additional movement. We have been thousands of miles without a single issue. We also turn the bars 90 degrees and install a bike cover. Having the rear camera allows us to watch the bikes incase there ever was an issue.

Dutchman2

 

[Soundsailor]

What methods are people using to haul E-bikes (2) that does not invalidate warranty. Have looked at versions that straddle the propane tanks however at 70 years of age I can’t see hoisting the bike up myself and a ramp would pose the same issue. I am told adding a hitch at the back on the bumper is also a no-no. Would appreciate some help here.

Welcome to the forum, it would be helpful to know which coach you have. You mention straddling the propane tanks, so I'm gathering that you have a travel trailer, not a fifth wheel.

 

[Dsterritt]

I have the GD Imagine 28 ft bh.

 

[Soundsailor]

I have the GD Imagine 28 ft bh.

Then what [MENTION=21739]xrated[/MENTION] said was good advice. A strong frame-mounted receiver is what you need. The Swagman e-rated carrier is what I have, as others have mentioned it is a great bike rack. At 72 bumper height is as high as I'd want to lift my 70-pound e-bike.

 

[Dsterritt]

Everyone has been so helpful! Thanks

 

[Dsterritt]

What is view of putting the swagman ebike carrier on the front of the truck?

 

[Kirkpaaz]

I have several friends that mounted a hitch in the front of their truck. Easy to install and low to the ground for lifting bikes. I put ours in the back of the truck hanging over the tailgate with a pad.

 

[Soundsailor]

What is view of putting the swagman ebike carrier on the front of the truck?

That would be an option although it might affect your towing by moving 150 plus pounds up front. For me, there was also the issue of the bikes getting dirty faster. I have a cover for my bikes, and the trailer provides a wind-break, so when I arrive the bikes are dry and as clean as when I loaded them.

 

[goducks14]

I would never put my E bikes on the front of my truck. Too much could go wrong with dirt/ rocks, rain etc. Not the least is the bug issue. On the rear of the TT under a cover for 3 seasons and no issues. DIY rack helps.

 

[M&Lcamping]

Consider looking at a foldable e bike. If memory is correct these foldable versions can fit in a 40 gal. tote at 60 lbs and store inside rv while traveling if space permits. Folded up the e bike will be taller than the tote but fit nicely inside of it making the whole thing easier to handle. https://lectricebikes.com/

This is exactly how we store our lectric e-bikes, in totes and inside

 

[David198]

If your vehicle has a suitable roof, a professional installer can install a roof rack with a lift assist mechanism. This could make loading and unloading easier.